Comments on: It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/ putting the fun in frugal living! Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:39:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: CheapGrl from 'Bama http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5556 CheapGrl from 'Bama Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:47 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5556 I shop year round and try to finish the Christmas gifts long before Thanksgiving. That way I can actually enjoy the holiday season instead of having to get out among the throngs of angry shoppers! I have a small family so I usually try to get them one nicer gift and then some smaller inexpensive ones as well. For example, I may get my mom a nice sweater from Chico's but the rest will be inexpensive items. No limit on where I buy them but I do shop sales. I do budget but since it is only my mom and husband that I buy for, I can afford to spend a little more. Although the most fun things are when we plan on doing something together instead of a gift. We tend to go to a movie, have game nights and plan short trips instead of gifts. I shop year round and try to finish the Christmas gifts long before Thanksgiving. That way I can actually enjoy the holiday season instead of having to get out among the throngs of angry shoppers! I have a small family so I usually try to get them one nicer gift and then some smaller inexpensive ones as well. For example, I may get my mom a nice sweater from Chico’s but the rest will be inexpensive items. No limit on where I buy them but I do shop sales. I do budget but since it is only my mom and husband that I buy for, I can afford to spend a little more. Although the most fun things are when we plan on doing something together instead of a gift. We tend to go to a movie, have game nights and plan short trips instead of gifts.

]]> By: Karen Wangensteen http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5555 Karen Wangensteen Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:02:12 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5555 check out half.com for books and music. You usually can find what you are looking for in new or like new condition for cheap, cheap, cheap! They are an affiliate of ebay, but no auction involved just pay for what you see. Shipping is usually media rate so that's cheap too! check out half.com for books and music. You usually can find what you are looking for in new or like new condition for cheap, cheap, cheap! They are an affiliate of ebay, but no auction involved just pay for what you see. Shipping is usually media rate so that’s cheap too!

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5554 Kathleen Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:28:17 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5554 I can't buy for many people. But I am thrifty, and use a discerning eye. I don't have a set budget -- just the goal of cheap and ideal present for whomever, without going bankrupt. I've often bought gifts from thrift stores, and they've been very well-loved by the recipients. I also use Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com for used books (cheapest books I've found so far, and the least cost has been 1 cent -- shipping is usually $3.99, but it's still a great deal). The sale shelves at the libraries are super spots for used books too (25-50 cents and a dollar for books). Sometimes, all they need is a wee bit of tlc, and they're still fab gifts. Half Price Books SO rocks, as always. If I can find neat stuff at Target or another reasonably-priced store, great. This year, I want to expand my horizons and make more gifts too, as others above have said they're doing. I can’t buy for many people. But I am thrifty, and use a discerning eye. I don’t have a set budget — just the goal of cheap and ideal present for whomever, without going bankrupt. I’ve often bought gifts from thrift stores, and they’ve been very well-loved by the recipients. I also use Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com for used books (cheapest books I’ve found so far, and the least cost has been 1 cent — shipping is usually $3.99, but it’s still a great deal). The sale shelves at the libraries are super spots for used books too (25-50 cents and a dollar for books). Sometimes, all they need is a wee bit of tlc, and they’re still fab gifts. Half Price Books SO rocks, as always. If I can find neat stuff at Target or another reasonably-priced store, great. This year, I want to expand my horizons and make more gifts too, as others above have said they’re doing.

]]> By: George http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5553 George Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:48:46 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5553 My holiday shopping habits vary. My brother and I use Amazon.com wish lists. His wife and kids also each have one. I don't have to ask what they want, I can just buy it. And then I can get their gifts anytime I want, but I usually get them way before Christmas. A wish list might solve your dilemma and it can be used for birthdays, anniversaries - need I say more? My dad usually likes cash and my mom doesn't really want very much, so she's pretty easy to shop for. I only get gifts for my immediate family ($25 max) and everyone else gets stackable tins of baked goods. I usually start prepping for that around Thanksgiving. I do a little shopping after Christmas, especially for my niece and nephew. Since I get them holiday ornaments every year along with a small gift, so I buy the ornaments after Christmas and save them until the next year. My holiday shopping habits vary. My brother and I use Amazon.com wish lists. His wife and kids also each have one. I don’t have to ask what they want, I can just buy it. And then I can get their gifts anytime I want, but I usually get them way before Christmas. A wish list might solve your dilemma and it can be used for birthdays, anniversaries – need I say more?

My dad usually likes cash and my mom doesn’t really want very much, so she’s pretty easy to shop for. I only get gifts for my immediate family ($25 max) and everyone else gets stackable tins of baked goods. I usually start prepping for that around Thanksgiving.

I do a little shopping after Christmas, especially for my niece and nephew. Since I get them holiday ornaments every year along with a small gift, so I buy the ornaments after Christmas and save them until the next year.

]]> By: Lynn Strand-Meyer http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5552 Lynn Strand-Meyer Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:27:03 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5552 My gifts will come from a combo of stores - Target, thrift.Half priced Books etc. Luckily, my sis and I agreed that our children will all get a book. 1 each, that's all. Mostly handmade stuff (my banana bread & spritz cookies are popular) for the grown-ups. We don't do any gifts for out of towners ... 'cuz, really, why send something when it's better to save pennies and then GO see them?? I generally shop after Thanksgiving and then have a big 'ol freakout "that I don't have enough for my kids & hubby so they will think I don't love them" and go crazy with last minute shopping. That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! My gifts will come from a combo of stores – Target, thrift.Half priced Books etc. Luckily, my sis and I agreed that our children will all get a book. 1 each, that’s all. Mostly handmade stuff (my banana bread & spritz cookies are popular) for the grown-ups. We don’t do any gifts for out of towners … ‘cuz, really, why send something when it’s better to save pennies and then GO see them??

I generally shop after Thanksgiving and then have a big ‘ol freakout “that I don’t have enough for my kids & hubby so they will think I don’t love them” and go crazy with last minute shopping.

That’s my plan, and I’m sticking to it!

]]> By: DK (AKA Probie) http://www.thecheapchick.com/2009/11/it%e2%80%99s-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/comment-page-1/#comment-5551 DK (AKA Probie) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:53:51 +0000 http://www.thecheapchick.com/?p=2056#comment-5551 I make a lot of my presents. Unless I see/think of something that sparks my interest, I usually start around Nov 1. What I don't make, I often buy online, mostly because I'm lazy. I've got three of my presents ordered, and most of the rest planned. Now I just have to start sewing... As for my price limit: cheap. I'm not ashamed of buying a present on clearance or with coupons. Or even from a thrift store, if it's in good condition. The point of a gift is not what you spend on it, it's that the person will like it. I'm po'. My family isn't rich either. I don't want them spending tons of money on me--I often REQUEST used items whenever possible--and I'm not going to go broke trying to please them. I make a lot of my presents. Unless I see/think of something that sparks my interest, I usually start around Nov 1. What I don’t make, I often buy online, mostly because I’m lazy. I’ve got three of my presents ordered, and most of the rest planned. Now I just have to start sewing…

As for my price limit: cheap. I’m not ashamed of buying a present on clearance or with coupons. Or even from a thrift store, if it’s in good condition. The point of a gift is not what you spend on it, it’s that the person will like it. I’m po’. My family isn’t rich either. I don’t want them spending tons of money on me–I often REQUEST used items whenever possible–and I’m not going to go broke trying to please them.

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